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Look at my tail!


Look at my tail!
Photo Information
Copyright: Bengt Falke (falke) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 157 W: 17 N: 443] (1590)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-10-17
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 40 D, Canon EF 300/4 L IS USM
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/200 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-10-17 9:27
Viewed: 702
Points: 50
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Intro:
Today I saw a Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis/Kungsfiskare) at close up, for the first time in my life. I even had to remove the extender as it would not otherwise fitted in the frame... ;o) This photo is from a distance of approximately 3 meters from a small hide.

It was amazing to get such a good look and I saw a very peculiar behaviour. When he caught a small fish he smacked it very hard to the pole to kill it before he swallowed it. I guess it it is a bit unpleasant to have a struggling fish down your throat.

I also think that the little azure blue tail is extremely cute! I have never seen it this way before.

Geographic info:
This from river Rönne ĺ to the northwest of of the lake Ringsjön in the most southern part of Sweden called Skĺne.

Technical information:
Canon 300/f4 lens on a my new Canon 40D body, in rawformat and used Adobe Lightroom for some adjustments before the edit in Photoshop CS3. I must say that this body (40D) is much better at getting a fast and good focus than my other body (400D).

Just crop, white balance and a bit hue
Noise reduction with Noiseware professional
Sharpening with Photokit capture sharpener

About the specie:
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Distribution
This species is widely distributed over Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is largely a resident species, but may migrate short distances from northern areas where the water surfaces freeze.

Habitat: It is a bird of the waterside, since it feeds entirely upon aquatic animals. It is frequent beside lakes, ponds, canals or dykes and streams. In winter, especially when inland waters are icebound, it may move to tidal marshes and the shore, taking its stand on the mussel or limpet covered rocks and diving into the shallow pools.

In most of its European range it is the only kingfisher. It may often be confused with the Small Blue Kingfisher, with which it overlaps in the southern areas of most of its range.

Description
* Size: Slightly larger than a sparrow (ca. 18-19cm., with wings averaging 7.5 cm),

* Appearance: Adult is bright metallic blue in the upper parts, cobalt on the back, and showing greenish reflections on the head and wings. The ear coverts and under parts are warm chestnut, the chin and sides of neck white.
The bill of the female is blackish and reddish orange at the base; the bill of the male is all black; the legs are bright red with a dark blue stripe. In the young the bill is black.

* Flight: The flight of the Kingfisher is rapid, the short rounded wings whirring until they appear a mere blur. It usually flies near the water, but during courtship the male chases the female through and over the trees with loud shrill whistles.
The Kingfisher sometimes hovers over the water, with body held almost vertical, the tail and head bent slightly forward and the bill inclined downward.

* Courtship: From February onwards the male has a trilling song, a modulated repetition of many whistles. He also signals with a whistle to the female when he is feeding her, this being his share of the nesting duties. This whistle is produced even when his bill is loaded with food, yet is clear and distinct. The female will reply and emerge from the nesting hole, and may fly to meet him, take the fish from him in the air, and return to the nest.

Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Kingfisher
nglen, pirate, uleko, Argus, lise, Alex99, horia, Ena, Tamrock, ramthakur, jaycee, SelenE, Jamesp, MMM, marieproue, IulianGherghel has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Alex99: Wow Alex!falke 1 10-17 12:40
To horia: Tanksfalke 1 10-17 12:33
To Argus: Hi Ivan!falke 3 10-17 12:18
To pirate: Wow Tom!falke 1 10-17 09:56
To marmottelolo: Merci Laurant!falke 1 10-17 09:52
To pvs: Thank you Paul!falke 1 10-17 09:46
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Critiques [Translate]

Good focus, good DOF, excellent colour, overall fantastic result.

bonjour bengt
eh bien vous avez été chanceux de l'avoir d'aussi pres,moi je n'ai reussi a l'avoir qu'a une distance de 8 metres,etiez vous dans un affut?
en tout cas bravo et merci du partage.
laurent

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1901 W: 4 N: 5175] (19712)
  • [2007-10-17 9:40]

Hi Bengt. You are lucky to get one so close. you have captured a fine example of this beautiful bird. good detail and rich colours. with a nice POV. well done TFS. good notes too.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1132 W: 254 N: 2446] (11125)
  • [2007-10-17 9:41]
  • [+]

Hi Bengt,

A very nice capture of this kingfisher,suppose you captured it from a hide (as I believe there exists one in the South),the colors an pose are excellent and yes as you already mentioned look at the tail remarkable,you must be a happy man today,tfs

Paul

Bonsoir Bengt,

Le focus sur cet oiseau est excellent révčlant tous les détails de son plumage.
Les couleurs sont superbes et la luminosité juste comme il faut.
Bravo

Servane

Hi Bengt
there are many Kingfisher here on TN but this one is really outstanding: perfect compo but even better very nice pose with well visible beautifull uppertailfeathers. Extreme sharpness (great lens and no extender), perfect exposure and DOF all over the bird with nice BG OOF.
sometimes you have to wait for decades to get such a picture: you obviously took your chance and made a perfect capture BRAVO
tfs
tom

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1115 W: 59 N: 2257] (7477)
  • [2007-10-17 10:03]

Hello Bengt,
What a fantastic light and colours in this photo. The sharpness is perfect and it really stands out very well against the BG. The pose of the bird is excellent.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2378 W: 164 N: 7139] (22556)
  • [2007-10-17 10:15]

Hej Bengt,
THis is a splendid capture of the Kingfisher in a rather charming pose with its tail up! You're very lucky (clever!) to have caught this bird as they are so elusive. Excellent sharp details and lovely colours. Beautiful soft background too.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2496 W: 132 N: 7098] (22175)
  • [2007-10-17 11:17]
  • [+]

Hello Bengt,
This is an amazing capture of a Kingfisher, not just because of the pose, which is amusing, but because of the technical quality of the shot. Excellent composition with natural BG too.
The Eurasian kingfisher is a species I've been longing to capture but have not had the chance so far.
You say this was taken from a small hide: was it a portable hide that you had with you, or was there a permanent one there?
Thanks for showing this one; it's a great shot!
Best wishes, Ivan

  • Great 
  • lise Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 179 W: 52 N: 531] (2593)
  • [2007-10-17 12:00]

Hi Bengt,
This is a wonderful picture!! The sharpness and details are amazing, the blue colour of the feathers are spectacular, well blurred background.
Very well done
Lise

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2047 W: 212 N: 3658] (12174)
  • [2007-10-17 12:19]
  • [+]

Hi Bengt

What an interesting coincidence: today i went out in hope of shooting something new and, just like you, i saw my first ever kingfisher, too :)
Of course, as it is my regular luck, i didn't get a good picture of it since it was very far and in quite dense vegetation...you on the other hand, have a terrific shot here!
First of all, i really like the pose of the bird here - somewhat in opposition with most of the photos i've seen here on TN about, which approach it from a typical side POV. The look in its eye is also enhanced by the POV here and makes it look a bit aggressive.
The details are simply outstanding - clear and sharp - from the tip of the beak all the way to the end of the detail, unveiling also a perfect DOF.
Spot-on exposure that came together with an impressive set of colors and tones, a beautiful blurred and distant BG and a charming composition - all complete this wonderful post!
My personal and sincere congratulations for an amazing job!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • Ena Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 359 W: 61 N: 568] (2327)
  • [2007-10-17 14:52]

Great photo of a wonderful bird!
Regards
Ena

hej bengt!
A beauty in a very nice pose
and with good sharpness
good pov and composition to!
very well done!

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3068 W: 231 N: 5840] (19618)
  • [2007-10-17 17:29]

That is a fantastic close-up, Bengt.
You were so fortunate to have had a chance to capture this beautiful bird.
You did an excellent job: The focus is spot-on, and the colors are well-saturated.
I LOVE his attitude and pose.
TFS. : )

Hello Bengt,
This is a super capture of this lovely kingfisher. Wonderful point of view and a sharp and neat image.
Well done and TFS.
Ram

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1687 W: 8 N: 4335] (14097)
  • [2007-10-17 19:07]

Hi Bengt,

I have never seen a Kingfisher but have admired them for a long time on pictures on TN. This may be the best one I have seen. The pose is adorable with that lifted up tail. Colors are exquisite. Superb details of the face, wings and plummage. Lovely setting and background. Just a tremendous photo.

Jane

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1213 W: 0 N: 4642] (13806)
  • [2007-10-17 23:44]

Hi Bengt

I have a kingfisher living close by but have never managed to get or good photograh of him (or the otter). Excellent POV with great focus and exposure.

James

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 753 W: 109 N: 1727] (5394)
  • [2007-10-18 3:16]

the colours and details here are simply perfect!
Delightful capture, superb attitude
TFS
silke
:D

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2307 W: 59 N: 3688] (11816)
  • [2007-10-18 3:19]

Hi Bengt,
What a cute pose you captured. Details, colors and composition are very nice. TFS
Best wishes
Selen

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 737 W: 0 N: 1497] (6754)
  • [2007-10-18 6:04]

Hello Bengt
What a nice image.Excellent POV and it is also very sharpwhit excellent details.The colors are outstanding.Very nice job.
TFS Michel

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2991 W: 148 N: 4435] (14369)
  • [2007-10-18 10:52]
  • [+]

Hi Bengt.
Your skillfulness multiplying on quality of the equipment raises a true masterpiece. Amazing picture at every respect. Superb subject, simply outstanding composition, terrific details of the beautiful bird and twig, amazing smooth impressive BG. Bravo and TFS.
Alexei.

MAgnifiques couleurs et superbes détails.
Bravo
Marie

Hi,
Great shot of this Alcedo.
Great pov, dof and light.
Best regards,
Iulian

Hej Bengt,
sorry, I have missed this beauty, it's one of my fav's and
also on my wish list.
Amazing colours, fine detail and well composed.
The DOF is also good, the bird standout well forn the BG.
Well done.
En mycket fin bild.

Hi Bengt.Beautiful composition with the beautiful colours excellent work.

Happy New Year
Hakan

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